The World After 4th March, 2025 -- Opportunities and Challenges-II
17 March, 2025
Deepak Razdan
The World continues to evolve, acquiring each day new
features, ever since Mr Donald Trump assumed office for his second term as US
President. The United States was the unquestioned leader of democratic nations,
pursuing largely a free capitalist system of economy. It was one large family,
the largest among different groups of nations, the others led by Russia and
China.
Mr Trump’s tariff impositions on countries across the
globe have broken up the world-family in single nations and small nation-groups.
The US is today a family by itself. Its northern neighbour Canada is another,
proclaiming the slogan of Canada First like the America First of the US.
Europe too comprises a group of nations, in spite of
the reality of the European Union. Not just France and Germany, each member of
the EU is today is worried about its defence. The EU countries are debating how
to strengthen their economies so that they can withstand the onslaught of US
tariffs on their products.
Canada is throwing US-made goods out of its stores,
while the European countries are preparing to make their economies
self-reliant, although the security of their borders remains their main
priority. The United Kingdom enjoys special relations with the US but is alive
to the fact that it has to be close to Europe in security matters.
Europe lived under the illusion of an indefinite US
security cover against threats from anywhere, and now knows it has to fend for
itself. Since the beginning of its hostilities with Ukraine, Russian has warned
European nations against supporting Ukraine in many ways.
The EU members have come together under British Prime
Minister Keir Starmer’s proposal for a “Coalition of the Willing” to ensure
that European nations oversee Ukraine’s security, should a ceasefire is reached
between Russia and Ukraine. The world has broken up never before. Countries in
other parts of the world are watching and reacting as developments take every
day and with speed.
The scenario does mean a severe setback to India’s
philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). India has been
stressing on the inter-dependence of international community for peace and
progress. In the New World that appears evolving on a daily basis, India as
well as Indians have to still consider what opportunities and challenges the
emerging situation is posing before them.
Every nation in Europe wants to be self-reliant in
meeting its requirements, whether for defence and security, or consumer items,
and goods and services of consumption every-day. Not one country considers that
it can be sure of US goods and services, although there is no formal break-up
of international trade or commerce.
The US tariffs will be unveiled on 2nd April. The US
has threatened to impose reciprocal non-monetary restrictions also. The world
is worried whether it can depend any longer on the US, which has already given
shocks like withdrawal of security cover and the imposition of exorbitant
tariff rates.
India with its large resources of highly educated and
skilled manpower can provide personnel to help the European countries increase
their production in every sector and become self-reliant in every respect.
Canada too is keen to see its economy fully secure and
self-reliant, but cannot raise skilled manpower overnight to meet the
challenge. Indians can seize the opportunity and look for decent employment opportunities
in Canada and European countries.
All these countries welcome skilled manpower entering their countries legally and making positive contribution to their economies. If Europe and Canada decide to do without US products, India can offer higher exports and benefit from the additional trade opportunities, while discharging its friendly responsibilities.
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